Even on Beta Build 7000

Feb 25, 2009 08:15 GMT  ·  By

Although it has been just over a month since Windows 7 Build 7000 made it out the door, and only a couple of weeks since the downloads were discontinued, Microsoft is ready to talk pirated Windows 7. Of course that generally, the Redmond company turns to a more politically correct terminology when dealing with the piracy phenomenon affecting its software products. In this context, much in the same manner as Windows Vista, Windows 7 users may also be victims of software counterfeiting, or running non-genuine Windows copies. At this point in time, pirated Windows Vista SP1 and Windows 7 operating systems will deliver the same user experience complete with the desktop background going black and with nagging notifications to go “genuine.”

Just as is the case with Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Vista, the installation of Windows 7, pre-Beta, Beta and pre-Release Candidate, will not force end users to enter a product key. If activation was not performed during deployment, the process can be done within the first 30 days since the first boot. This is the Initial Grace Period, which can itself be prolonged from 30 days to 120 via the slmgr command. If the grace period expires, Windows 7 users, even with Beta Build 7000, will have a similar experience as when running expired Windows Vista Service Pack 1, explained Alex Kochis, senior product manager, Windows Genuine Advantage.

“As with Windows Vista and Windows XP the Windows 7 Beta includes a 30 day grace period for activation (generally copies that are pre-installed by major OEMs and copies distributed through Volume Licensing do not require activation to be performed by the end user),” Kochis stated. “During the setup process an option is provided that enables Windows to attempt to activate itself automatically after three days of use. If automatic activation is not selected, after the third day, you will begin to see a message from the system tray that reminds you to "Activate Windows Now" and the time remaining in the grace period. Clicking on the "Activate Windows Online Now" option will begin the standard activation process.”

One good piece of news for Windows users is the fact that Vista's infamous Black Screen of Death, also referred to as the Reduced Functionality Mode, seems to be gone for good. Kochis gave no indication that RFM would be making a comeback in Windows 7, especially since it was discarded in with the advent of SP1 for Vista. Reduced Functionality Mode for pirated or unactivated copies of Windows Vista was able to make the operating system virtually unusable, allowing users to access only the most basic functionality, such as Internet Explorer in order to buy a genuine license online. Additionally, the platform would also reboot every hour. But this will not be the case for Windows 7.

“If you do not activate the software within the grace period you will receive persistent notifications, including a message from the system tray every 60 minutes that reminds you to "Activate Windows Now", a persistent desktop notification that Windows is non-genuine, a non-genuine message that appears when the Control Panel is launched, and the desktop will be set to a plain black background,” Kochis added. “While you can change the plain black background to any background you choose, if changed the background will reset to a plain black background every 60 minutes. This experience will continue until the Windows 7 Beta is activated. Also, you will not be able to receive optional updates from Windows Update unless the copy of Windows is properly activated.”

During the grace period, Windows 7 will remind users on a daily basis that they need to take the necessary steps to activate the operating system. Even though it’s no longer serving the bits for Windows 7 Beta Build 7000, Microsoft continues to make available product keys and to allow activations of the operating system. If Windows 7 goes a full 27 days without being activated, the “Activate Now” message will be more persistent and more frequent, once every four hours. On the last day of the initial grace period, the message will be displayed every 60 minutes. At the same time, users will be informed that the copy of the operating system has expired and will receive details about the risks associated with running non-genuine software.

“I would like to remind folks that the beta isn't necessarily the final experience that will appear in the released product and that based on feedback some of the specific elements of the product activation experience could change,” Kochis said.

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